Cougars Hire Weber State’s Football Coach

Weber State head football coach Mike Price was named head coach at Washington State University today, and he promised to heal the wounds Cougar fans felt when they lost a successful coach to Miami.

“I am excited, honored and privileged to be chosen,” Price said. “I am here to mend the Cougar wounds and to carry on where last year’s great Cougar team left off.”

WSU officials scheduled a series of news conferences across the state today to officially introduce the new coach.

Price, 42, succeeds Dennis Erickson, who guided the Cougars to a 9-3 season capped by an Aloha Bowl win over Houston before leaving March 5 to coach the University of Miami’s Hurricanes.

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Price, who was beaten out by Erickson two years ago for the WSU coaching job, compiled a 46-44 record in eight seasons at Weber State, including a 5-6 record last season.

“I think Mike Price is the perfect football coach for Washington State right now,” said WSU Athletic Director Jim Livengood in making the announcement.

Livengood said he selected his longtime friend for his “integrity, class and squeaky-clean image” as well as his potential to win games.

Under terms of a five-year contract, Price will be paid a base salary of $75,000 a year and will receive additional compensation from radio and television contracts that are still being negotiated, Livengood said.